Items collected will be driven to New York City Tuesday by Advantage Transportation and dropped off at a warehouse where a charitable organization called Kids In Distressed Situations Inc. is collecting and distributing items to those impacted by the storm.

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Among the requested supplies are toiletries, such as shampoo, soap, deodorant, toothbrushes and toothpaste, and baby supplies, including baby wipes, diapers and formula. Other requested items include clothing undergarments and shoes for children and adults, as well as blankets, toys, books and first-aid kits.

All items donated must be brand new and in small or individual packages.

Many of the participating businesses are offering coupons and freebies to people who drop off donations. Go to www.Mamatoga.com for details on freebies and for an updated list of participating businesses.

Donations will be accepted until 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 6.

Robin Dalton, who helped organize the local drive with Witte, said watching the devastation unfold in areas like New York City, New Jersey and Staten Island, and hearing what friends and family affected by the storm are dealing with, cemented her desire to help.

"None of us can imagine being in a situation where you not only can't take care of yourself, but you're out of baby formula or you're out of diapers, too," she said.

New York City and New Jersey are slowly cleaning up after last week's storm, but power outages and fuel shortages continue to plague the recovery. As of Saturday afternoon, the death toll in New York was 48 and the death toll in New Jersey was 22. More than two million people are still without power in New York and New Jersey.